TEAMS flock from around the nation – but don’t expect volleyballers Morgan Edge, Alexandria Keen or Gabby Lougheed to be intimidated at Warrnambool’s seaside tournament.
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Suiting up for South West Pirates’ division three outfit, the trio are hopeful of bringing home gold at the annual event.
While not stunned at the prospect of battling heavyweights South Gippsland, Bendigo Academy of Sport or Victoria University, the trio expected a high standard of play.
“Our division has a lot of juniors than experience,” Edge said.
“We’ve been practicing on Tuesday nights in the social competition here, and the team is just getting better and better.
“I think we’ll definitely head into the tournament with a strong chance of getting a medal.”
Organisers expect more than 65 teams to descend on the south-west for the tournament, with sides landing from Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart.
South West Pirates president Steve Young said state league teams headlined a strong field for the three-day event, which begins on Saturday and winds up on Monday.
“The team from Tassie are pretty strong, and the Adelaide sides always go well. We’re hoping for a good weekend – there should be about 700 people around for it,” he said.
“The women’s division two side will go very close to winning, I believe. They’re a bit of a combination of a division one and two team through some players not being available.
“Sheree McKean and Rachelle Casley will be their strongest points and it’ll be a good tournament.”
The event kicks off on Saturday, with games across Warrnambool.